Case Study RRS Discovery

Digital Surveys have recently completed a project to digitally document the RRS Discovery. Currently
the centre piece of the Dundee Heritage Trust visitor centre in Dundee, this iconic vessel famously
carried explorers Robert Falcon Scott and Ernest Shackleton on their first successful journey to
the Antarctic in 1901.

The last traditional wooden three-masted ship to be built in Britain, the Discovery has an
incredibly rich and culturally significant place in maritime history. To this end the Dundee
Heritage trust commissioned a full 3D laser survey of the vessel to document her for posterity.

"…a major step forward in the understanding of the structure of this internationally significant ship…"

Mark Munsie,Operations Director,
Discovery Point & Royal Research Ship Discovery

The Brief

To digitally document the vessel in 3D providing a snap shot in time

To create a detailed record of the vessels internal and external structure

To provide a 3D model of the vessel for visualisations and virtual tours

Our Approach

Step 1

The vessel was 3D laser scanned internally & externally while the vessel was in dry dock. All scans where carried out in full colour and a point cloud of billions of point created.

Step 2

The laser scan data was registered together to create a full 3D dataset. Our team of modellers then painstakingly traced around this data to create a very accurate survey grade 3D model.

Step 3

Using HDR imagery collected when scanning texture maps where created and mapped on to the model to create photo realistic renders.

Step 4

From the final model a range of deliverables where created including a full set of 2D plans, virtual site tour and a range of 2D renders and animations.

The Results

Gallery

Video

What our client says

"From the initial awarding of the tender to the scan of the Royal Research Ship Discovery through to the finalisation of the process Ben and his team have been professional in approach, sympathetic to our needs and have without doubt gone the extra mile to make the project such a success. Their total commitment to the project and their support of the Trust’s charitable a aims has resulted in a major step forward in the understanding of the structure of this internationally significant ship and will help inform ongoing conservation work."